In a two-month span, the Police Department has responded to a motorcycle accident, a lost hiker and a suicide — all within the rocky terrain of the Freetown-Fall River State Forest.

Luckily, the department has added two refurbished Humvees to its fleet, and at no major cost to the town, according to Police Chief Carlton E. Abbott Jr.

Abbott said the town will use those vehicles to respond to emergencies within the state forest. He said those Humvees were originally bound for Afghanistan until the president announced troop withdrawal plans. Abbott said the Police Department is a member of a defense logistics agency, which alerted communities such as Freetown, Dartmouth and Westport of the available Humvees. All three communities now have them as part of their police fleet, Abbott said. He said Freetown was especially fortunate to secure refurbished vehicles.

Abbott and Police Union President Marc Fornaciari met with the Board of Selectmen on Monday and convinced board members to authorize the department’s use of the Humvees. Abbott said the Police Department plans on sharing them with the Fire Department.

Abbott said the town merely has to pay insurance costs, which is slightly more than $1,100. Abbott said the Police Association is willing to pay half.

“It’s an asset that gives us access to the forest; it is not uncommon to have a lost person or stolen car or recreation and motorcycle accidents in the forest,” Abbott said.

Selectwoman Lisa Pacheco argued on Monday that approving the Humvees is difficult in light of the fact that many town departments have had to cut personnel hours. She said approving more vehicles for one department and not more hours for another poses an issue.

Pacheco also alluded to speculation that the state could change the net school spending formula, which would adversely impact Freetown-Lakeville schools.

“I’m not saying ‘you don’t need them.’ But yet there has to be a balance somewhere along the way,” Pacheco said. “For me, people are more important than equipment.”

In the end, Abbott proved there was a need. Abbott says the state forest is used year round and the forest staff has been cut over the years, putting more burden on the town’s Police Department.

He added that town officers have been using personal vehicles such as Ford Explorers to traverse the rough terrain of the forest. He described that as an unacceptable practice.

He said Humvees are much better equipped to respond to emergencies in the forest.